Like childhood, animation is full of wonder and simple pleasures. This carefully chosen programme for our littlest and most special audience contains 14 of the best, most recent wonderful short animated films, full of joy, from all around the world. There’ll be talking animals, seriously fun adventures and wondrous tales to spark those little imaginations.
This programme contains several cheeky, loveable humans and animals in all sorts of mad, lively adventures. Rabbits in the snow, spiders and witches having fun with webs and spells, a heartfelt bond between two sisters and the joy that a merry-go-round brings to the children in the village. All of this and more.
Adults can only come if they’re bringing a child, and children can only come along if accompanied by an adult.
Sleepy – Rich Webber, UK
Hilarious things can happen when sleep catches up with you.
2022 1’15 min
Spin and Ella – An Vrombaut, Belgium
A fairy and a spider having fun weaving designs with sticky thread and a magic wand.
2023 7’05 min
Animanimals Tiger – Julia Ocker, Germany
The tiger is supposed to perform a daring circus trick but he’s too scared to go through with it.
2022 4’00 min
The Sound Collector – Float Your Boat – Chris Tichborne, UK
When the Sound Collector travels in his boat on the stream, things get a little out of hand – and so does his ukulele playing!
2023 5’05 min
Pond – Eva Rust & Lena Von Döhren, Switzerland
A shoal of herrings, adopting fantastic formations, roams the vast ocean. When seagulls suddenly attack, one small herring finds itself stranded in a tidal pool.
2023 8’30 min
To Be Sisters – Anne-Sophie Gousset, France
To be sisters is about sharing a special bond and laughing together. To be sisters is to be propelled by love. But these particular sisters share an extra something a bit different.
2022 7’15 min
Somni – Sonja Rohleder, Germany
When it’s time to sleep and we close our eyes, what do we see when we enter the realm of dreams?
2023 3’15 min
La Calesita – Augusto Schillaci, Argentina/Canada/USA
The heartfelt story of the beloved Argentinian merry-go-round operators who have dedicated their lives to providing fun and happiness to children and their neighbourhoods.
2022 9’35 min
Sunflower – Natalia Chernysheva, France/Russia
When a sunflower like no other decides to buck convention, they discover a whole new perspective.
2023 4’15 min
Kids in Winter – Maing Caochong, China
During winter an unexpected snowstorm is a huge challenge for a group of plucky rabbits as they struggle to get back home.
2022 2’55 min
Explore your Feelings with Art – Jenny Wright, UK
Sometimes feelings are tricky! We might not know exactly how we feel at times, or what to say to the people around us when we’re going through something difficult and would like them to understand – but creative acts can help.
2023 3’00 min
The Tiger at the Zoo – Matthew Kalinauskas, Canada
A tiger-obsessed little boy goes to the zoo on a class field trip, only to discover that the tiger is off exhibit. His imagination soon transforms his disappointing day into an unforgettable one – for everyone.
2023 4’15 min
Animanimals Squirrel – Julia Ocker, Germany
The Patchwork Pals have a problem: Squirrel is collecting all the nuts, but only for himself! Will they find a way to make him share?
2022 3’40 min
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to the Arts Council England
Event supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.
Our Award Partner
Karrot
Since 2008, the award-winning Karrot have been making top-notch animated content for TV and online streaming platforms. Karrot generously sponsors our Best Childrens’ Film awards.
Venue
The Barbican is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. For more information about The Barbican and how to get there, find out more.
Barbican, Online
